Once, the Catholic Church was celebrating the dedication of their new building. The place was crowded and overflowing as the service began.

Then, the priest was pleasantly surprised to see the local Lutheran pastor walking in the door with a couple of representatives from his church. "Well, isn't that nice," the priest thought to himself, "We need to treat our protestant friends well."

He glanced around, noting that every pew was filled and that his Lutheran friends did not have a place to seat.

Furtively, the priest leaned over and whispered in the ear of the altar boy, "Get three chairs for the Lutherans."

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Cathy had her gall bladder removed this morning, and we just arrived home a few minutes ago. She feels like she was run over by a Mack truck -- groggy, and in a lot of pain. I hope she starts feeling better before too long.

She said all her "It's gonna be a piece of cake" friends didn't give her the whole picture. Still, we're on this side of the hill now, and it's just a matter of recovery.

I'm planning on staying home the rest of the week, to take care of her and teach the kids.

Amazingly, the lady in the hospital bed next to Cathy attended a wedding I officiated this past Saturday. She's the bride's sister -- and the newlyweds were in the waiting room. I told her that was not a "coincidence" but rather God's "providence" at work: a postcard from heaven to remind her h0w much she is loved.

Tomorrow, Cathy is going to have surgery to remove her gall bladder. The doctor says it will be a relatively "minor" procedure -- three small incisions, a couple of snips, and she'll be good to go.

Well, it might be "minor" for him, but it's Major for us (A good definition of Major Surgery is any cutting they do on YOU!)

There is one fringe benefit, however. We are planning to head up to Duluth this evening for a romantic overnight date. We plan to dine at Red Lobster (thanks to our friend, Mark and Lori) and lodge at Hawthorne Inn and Suites on the harbor (thanks to their special "gall bladder removal" rates.)

If all goes well, we will have her home by tomorrow evening -- though they say recovery will take a while. I'm planning on staying home to take care of her, and teach the kids the rest of the week.

Over the next couple of days, we'd really appreciate it if you sent up a prayer.

Monday, October 23, 2006

We must see the error of our effort to live by fire, by burning the world in order to live in it. There is no plainer symptom of our insanity than our avowed intention to maintain by fire an unlimited economic growth. Fire destroys what nourishes it and so in fact imposes severe limits on any growth associated with it. The true source and analogue of our economic life is the economy of plants, which never exceeds natural limits, never grows beyond the power of its place to support it, produces no waste, and enriches and preserves itself by death and decay. We must learn to grow like a tree, not like a fire.--Wendell Berry

(Thanks to Heath Davis for this thought provoking quote from the Kentucky poet.)

In evil long I took delight, Unawed by shame or fear, Till a new object struck my sight, And stopp'd my wild career: I saw One hanging on a Tree In agonies and blood, Who fix'd His languid eyes on me. As near His Cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath, Can I forget that look: It seem'd to charge me with His death, Though not a word He spoke: My conscience felt and own'd the guilt, And plunged me in despair: I saw my sins His Blood had spilt, And help'd to nail Him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did! But now my tears are vain: Where shall my trembling soul be hid? For I the Lord have slain!

A second look He gave, which said,"I freely all forgive; This blood is for thy ransom paid; I die that thou may'st live."

Thus, while His death my sin displays In all its blackest hue, Such is the mystery of grace, It seals my pardon too. With pleasing grief, and mournful joy, My spirit now is fill'd, That I should such a life destroy, Yet live by Him I kill'd!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

This week, USA Today interviewed former Hewlett-Packard CEO, Carly Fiona, who was fired in 2005.

The conversation touched on "dysfunctional boards."

Q: HP doesn't have the only dysfunctional board on the planet. What can other boards do to stop the ugliness and focus on their responsibilities?

A: Don't become consumed by personal agenda. Put tough issues about the business and personality conflicts on the table and talk about them face to face. The ability to talk directly instead of taking issues underground is a big part of keeping any team functioning.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

The recent trend of preachers spicing their sermons with expletitives bothers me.

Just a few years ago, the only "cussing preachers" were Gene Scott, and a few backwoodsy independant baptists who didn't have any accountability.

Now, the cussing preachers are keynoting at Pastors' Conferences.

I realize that addressing this issue will open me up to charges of legalism. I also understand that "cussing preachers" aren't any worse than "gossipy preachers" or "doubting preachers." Then of course, someone might ask, "And what about the gluttons?"

Nevertheless, the Bible says that "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Whatever is coming out of a person is from the heart.

If somebody goes around saying "BLANKETY BLANK!!"It makes one wonder, are they full of "blankety blank?"

My concern is that the rising generation of cussing preachers will find an audience of young ministers who, thinking it's cool, will pick up the habit themselves.

The deacons will ask, "Where did you pick up that filthy language?"The young minister will reply, "I got it from the Preachers' Conference!"------------

“Now the reason of common swearing is this; it is because men have not so much as the intention to please God in all their actions. For let a man but have so much piety as to intend to please God in all the actions of his life, as the happiest and best thing in the world, and then he will never swear more. It will be as impossible for him to swear, whilst he feels this intention within himself, as it is impossible for a man that intends to please his prince, to go up and abuse him to his face.”

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Yesterday, I took a team of leaders on a field trip to the Twin Cities. We visited four churches that had recently built new or additional facilities.

We had the privilege of meeting three of the senior pastors. (The fourth congregation is between pastors right now.)

It was a valuable learning experience for all of us, and although it is impossible to give you every insight gleaned, I'd like to share a few key "take home" points:

1. Be careful not to overbuild.

2. Build what you really need with a masterplan for future expansion.

3. Maintain a missional mindset -- but be sure to remember the local church is at the very heart of the mission.

4. Building expansion can either catalyze or implode a congregation. Much of it depends on morale going into the project, discerning leadership, and perceived need.

5. Coffee shops in church foyers are warm and inviting.

6. A capital fund drive should be about MISSION rather than just mortar.

7. The mother ship needs to stay strong for long term mission effectiveness. It is possible to "over-extend" in church planting and global efforts, to the detriment of the local church. (the opposite is also true -- some churches only think about themselves to God's dismay and their demise.)

8. A church's facilities speak the congregation's priorities more accurately than the official written mission statement.

9. You can get a fairly clear picture of how things are really going in a church just by touring the facilities and spending twenty minutes with the pastor.

Friday, October 13, 2006

There is no doubt that the love of God consists neither of sweet tears nor inner comfort and sensibility, but rather in that we serve Him with righteousness, fortitude, and true humility.

A truly loving soul finds its greatest peace by expending everything that it is, has and is capable of for the Beloved, and the more dear and admirable something may be, the more readily it is given.

The highest and truest perfection of the spiritual life consists not of inner charm or comfortable sentiment, nor of raptures, appearances and offerings of prophecy, but rather of the uniformity of our will with the will of God.

Whoever adheres to that which is mortal, everything that he does under those circumstances will be for him incomplete. Whoever follows that which is lost, also will be lost.

Whoever owns such mortal things to the extent that his whole will is possessed by them, he has and owns nothing. Rather those things will imprison, own and torment him.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

It was a great blessing to me to minister to a fine group of small town and country pastors at Oak Hills Christian College the last couple of days.

I thought Hayward was remote and small, but compared some of the churches these guys pastor, I live in a bustling metropolis! Why, we're such a big city, we even have three stop lights, a McDonalds and a Wal Mart.

Some of these pastors have to drive two hours to go shopping in a big town like ours. One of the fellows lives in a village with a population of 3.

All he has to do is win one more to Jesus -- and the whole town will be converted! Now, that's a community influence beyond anything Willow Creek has ever seen!

Somehow, in American evangelical culture, pastoral "success" is defined as: building a megachurch.

Now, I am, indeed, thankful for the great megachurches in our land. They inspire me to think bigger and broader. We have learned much from trails they've blazed.

However, "building a megachurch" is NOT the definition of "success." That kind of thinking is counterproductive for pastors in small communities. If you buy into that perspective, all small town and rural pastors are "failures by default."

Nothing could be further from the truth!

True Success is obedience to God's call and the Great Commandment. . . period.

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Today, after church, I'm heading to Oak Hills Bible College in Bemidji, Minnesota, to speak to a gathering of pastors: The Country Shepherd's Workshop. That's right down my alley -- helping pastors in small places capture a God sized vision for their life and ministry!

So, I'll be gone a couple of days, and therefore absent from the blogosphere.

For those who come by the birdfeeder on a regular basis, you might want to plunder the archives -- or visit my links.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Tonight, I was overjoyed to participate in the installation of Ben Kidder as the pastor of our daughter congregation in the little northwoods community of Minong, Wisconsin, about 20 miles from Hayward.

Then, in February, we then started having weekly Saturday night services, staffed mostly by the Hayward Wesleyan pastors.

My daughter, Hannah, and I made the Minong journey many Saturday nights over the last several months. It's a remote wilderness between the two villages, and we've seen wildlife every time -- bald eagles, an albino deer, a fox, a weasel, and a timber wolf.

We've seen some "wild-living" humans, too, as the fledgling congregation has grown to an average of 40 or 50.

Some folks scratched their heads in bewilderment. "Why are you trying to start a church in the middle of nowhere?" Well, Minong only had two churches -- Catholic and Lutheran -- and about a hundred bars. I figure those folks really need a good, life-giving church, which will have a positive influence on the entire community, and introduce many to Jesus.

There is a tremendous spiritual darkness over the region. I've never seen anything like it -- but the powers of darkness cannot withstand the light!

Tonight, over 75 people attended the church service. Ben delivered an anointed message, which was captivating, challenging and inspiring. I am so thankful! God delivered a real winner to our doorstep!

I smiled when I realized we had more people out for church this evening, than my first few weeks in Hayward 15 years ago.

At the conclusion of the service, we commissioned Ben, and his precious wife, Ingrid to their new charge! I handed the responsibility for the little flock over to them. It's going to be quite an adventure!

Now, I'll serve now in more of a "grandfatherly" role. I'll be around to bless, encourage, help, give advice when asked, and try really hard not to meddle.

I drove home deeply contented, but Hannah wondered, "Now, what are we going to do with our Saturday nights? Is there another town somewhere that needs a church?"

"The church has bought into this idea that if we make Jesus look cool, we win. But we're really trying to make ourselves look cool, not Jesus. We certainly need to repent of that."-- Donald Miller, from Summer 2006 Leadership Journal article, quoted in Our of Ur

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Occasionally, every pastor has to face the difficult challenge of correcting naughty church members. These issues often are sticky and fuzzy, and there's a good chance that there will be at least some measure of misunderstanding.

Often, a sympathetic friend who has heard "one side of the story", comes riding in on a white horse, with the the trump card: The Glutton Card.

"Well, if you're doing this, what are you going to do about the gluttons in the church??"

Now, I understand their point -- and of course, gluttony brings dishonor to the Lord. However, I have never seen a "gluttony scandal" tear up a church. (o.k. -- except the Corinth folks, but they had other moral issues -- and that's just the point I'm making.)

In the hundreds of counseling situations I've faced, I've never had a wife sob, "I'm suspecting my husband's a GLUTTON!"

Yes, I understand that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we should honor God with them, but hard situations are never resolved by playing the "Glutton Card." It doesn't help matters at all, and only deflects the truth.

Playing hardball with such issues as adultery or drunkenness is difficult enough without having to stop and deal with little leaguers who hurl wiffleballs while hiding behind the gluttons.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

A friend is someone who stays with you in the bad and good weather of life,guards you when you are off your guard,restrains your impetuosity,delights in your wholeness,forgives your failures,does not forsake you when others let you down.The friendship of Jesus enables us to see othersas he saw the apostles:flawed, but good children of the Father.

-- Brennan Manning

Down through the years, Steve Gerich has been a good friend like that to me. Thanks, Steve!

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